Cruising sailors successfully brave the Gulf of Aden

by Sail-World Cruising on 15 Mar 2010 In spite of all the warnings against transiting the Gulf of Aden, a convoy of 20 boats has just sailed into Aden after transiting the pirate riddled Gulf, arriving into the Yemeni port on 11th March

The convoy, which departed from the southern Omani port of Salalah, consisted of 20 boats in four groups of five, each group of five forming a diamond shaped convoy. A team leader was appointed in each group, the yacht to travel 'point', the four other yachts then positioning themselves to create the diamond. The groups left with more than an hour between them, and traveled 'silent', checking their positions on radar.

As convoys had to travel at the same speed, the convoys were not without their challenges. Even before all the groups were underway, one of the yachts had engine trouble and had to be towed, eventually returning to Salalah to sort out their problem.

According to reports in from some of the boats, the nights were a 'super-challenge' as 'each skipper had their own interpretation of how close to get & how to do it.'

Early one morning a Coalition Forces helicopter flew over the convoy to check their safety, which they described as 'reassuring'. As time went on, several more of the boats suffered engine problems, no doubt due to the unaccustomed high utilisation, and other yachts were called on to tow their colleagues.

All reported that it was a tiring and stressful trip, windless, with only the ability to travel as fast as the slowest yacht. While there were some nervous moments, and all heard many ships reporting 'suspicious activity' on the radio, all yachts reached Aden safely.

The convoy now prepares to sail north up the Red Sea, heading for the Suez Canal and the entrance into the Mediterranean.
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Letter from Reader:

Sender: Alan Green

Message: Dear Sail World

It's good news that 20 yachts have just safely arrived in Aden without being pirated. Unfortunately their success does not prove that these waters are safe from piracy and indeed, at a conference today at IMO (the International Maritime Organization) it was reported that increased piracy activity is expected and could feature more involvement of the Al Shabab faction in Somalia whose aims may extend beyond just piracy for cash.

Advice from the anti-piracy naval forces including MSCHOA (Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa), UKMTO (UK Maritime Trade Office Dubai) and CTF 151 (Coalition Task Force) and published by ISAF (International Sailing Federation) is unequivocal: yachts are strongly recommended to avoid the area.

However should a yacht decide to transit the area then at the very least she should review the ISAF Guidelines and notify UKMTO in advance then when entering the area and daily: ukmto@eim.ae +971 50 552 3215.

ISAF Guidelines may be found at www.sailing.org, via the Noonsite web site www.noonsite.org and the Cruising Association web site www.cruising.org.uk.

Alan Green
Chairman International Regulations Commission ISAF
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